Stanford’s defense had been a bright spot this season, but it was exposed Saturday night at Virginia – a discouraging sign as the team hopes to improve on a recent run of 3-9 seasons.
The Cardinal (1-3, 1-1 ACC) allowed long touchdown drives on Virginia’s first four possessions and gave up 590 yards in the 48-20 loss.
Heading into the game, Stanford had been 16th in the NCAA in sacks (nine), 24th in opponents’ red zone touchdown percentage (35.7%) and was one of seven teams with multiple defensive touchdowns. As a result, it had allowed just 342 yards a game, which would have been its best full-season mark since 2018.
But against Virginia (3-1, 1-0), the Cardinal didn’t force any turnovers, barely touched quarterback Chandler Morris, and gave up touchdowns in six of seven red zone possessions.
Morris finished 23 of 31 for 380 yards and four touchdowns, including three scoring throws to Trell Harris in the first quarter.
“We knew they had a dynamic offense coming in,” interim coach Frank Reich said. “The quarterback is dynamic. We knew that he could make plays with his feet and in the pass game, and he certainly showed that tonight. So give credit to Virginia. Wasn’t our best outing defensively. I know we’re better than that. There were plays there to be made defensively that I think we would normally make but we got out-executed.”
The Cardinal was coming off a big win over Boston College in its home and conference opener in which the defense shut out the Eagles in the second half, but it was unable to carry any momentum over to the East Coast. Virginia (3-1, 1-0) had a school-record 700 yards last week against William & Mary, and its fast-paced offense left Stanford scrambling.
“We know the no-huddle, the tempo stuff that they do, it presents a unique challenge,” Reich said. “Our defense has played well this year, up until this game. This was not our best outing defensively. But, you know, I believe in our guys. I believe in our defense.”
The Stanford offensive line helps up their quarterback, Ben Gulbranson, after he was sacked by Virginia defensive lineman Daniel Rickert (not shown) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
LONG THROWS
The biggest positive for Stanford came from the deep threat posed by speedy receiver Bryce Farrell, who caught 68- and 60-yard passes.
With Virginia playing its safeties low in order to stop the run, Reich felt that there was a chance for big plays. Ben Gulbranson threw for a season-high 286 yards and completed 20 of 29 passes for two touchdowns and no interceptions, though he did lose a fumble while being sacked.
“Ben’s been throwing the deep ball great in practice,” Reich said. “They’ve been connecting on those and they’ve looked how they looked today in the game. That’s how they look good in practice. So those plays were not a surprise.”
Gulbranson also had a good connection with Wisconsin transfer CJ Williams, who had nine catches for 103 yards.
But Virginia’s game plan succeeded in stopping the run. Micah Ford, who ran for 157 yards against the Eagles, had 44 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries against the Cavaliers.
TRAVEL PLANS
All three of Stanford’s losses have come outside of the Pacific Time Zone – at Hawaii, BYU, and Virginia. But Reich said the cross-country trip had nothing to do with the team’s slow start.
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Virginia had 28 points and 401 yards in the first half – more than any Stanford opponent had in a single game before Saturday.
“I felt like we had good travel plans,” Reich said. “I felt like, physically, we were locked in. Guys were in good shape. We got the rest we needed. Got the work we needed.”
The team has two more East Coast trips (at Miami and North Carolina) as well as a game at SMU.
At least there won’t be any more travel for the next two weeks. The Cardinal will be back at Stanford Stadium on Saturday to host San Jose State, followed by an off week.
The Virginia defense signals for a turnover after recovering a fumble against the Stanford offense during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)